Committee Summary for Senate Finance (05/22/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1 2024-1780 00:49:46.760 - 2:48:07 PM	Executive Session	making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[B+]2024

HB1 2024-1780: Senator Lang Information Only00:49:46.760 - 2:48:07 PM; Senator Lang discussed the budget adjustments made in collaboration with the Department of Corrections. He noted that the initial $35 million cut proposed by the House was reduced to $14 million through negotiations and adjustments in funding and positions.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Waters Support00:50:40.000 - 2:49:01 PM; Senator Waters expressed support for the budget adjustments, emphasizing the importance of the changes for safety, functionality, and reducing recidivism at the Department of Corrections. He also welcomed the new acting director, John Skipa, and stressed the importance of having a clear budget plan moving forward.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Lang Information Only00:51:34.720 - 2:49:55 PM; Senator Lang further elaborated on the adjustments, mentioning the agreement to cut positions by attrition and the inclusion of a back of the budget cut of $5 million. He also discussed the need for committee amendments to adjust the positions in the Department of Corrections.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Gray Information Only00:52:26.000 - 2:50:47 PM; Senator Gray confirmed the need for committee amendments to adjust the positions in the Department of Corrections due to changes made. She also moved for a committee amendment for a back of the budget cut of $5 million.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Inis Information Only00:53:24.480 - 2:51:45 PM; Senator Inis discussed the removal of certain items from the agenda and the approval of others. He also mentioned the need for further discussions regarding the use of funds from a court settlement for water systems.
HB1 2024-1780: Commissioner Information Only00:54:33.440 - 2:52:54 PM; The Commissioner explained that the settlement funds from a court case related to water systems were designated for a trust fund and could not be used for wastewater projects as per current law.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Rashardi Information Only00:55:46.559 - 2:54:07 PM; Senator Rashardi discussed the appropriation of funds for water projects, noting that the House had removed $30 million from the budget carried forward, and the Senate had put his bill on the table. He suggested holding funds for further decision.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Information Only00:57:05.720 - 2:55:26 PM; The Senator discussed the need for a committee amendment to appropriate funds to the Pillsbury Lake Village District through dees and dees, as general funds are typically not appropriated directly to communities.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Information Only00:59:13.040 - 2:57:34 PM; The Senator discussed the Health and Human Services request to remove the prohibition on using general funds for the construction of the Sununu Center replacement facility, with the condition that any future funds must go through fiscal review.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Information Only01:00:28.440 - 2:58:49 PM; The Senator proposed holding funds for residential treatment to reduce the number of kids ending up in the Sununu Center, suggesting a reduction of funding to the current Sununu Center.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Information Only01:00:28.440 - 2:58:49 PM; The senator concluded their previous discussion at 01:00:28.440, indicating the end of their segment.
HB1 2024-1780: Unknown Information Only01:01:17.119 - 2:59:38 PM; The speaker highlighted that a million dollars had already been spent on the implementation of the summer EBT program, suggesting that not funding it would result in a waste of that million dollars. They expressed a view that it represents a good savings.
HB1 2024-1780: Unknown Information Only01:02:39.119 - 3:01:00 PM; The speaker proposed moving money from fiscal year 2025 to 2026 and discussed reducing the appropriation from the rainy day fund to push expenditures into the next year, indicating a strategy to manage budget allocations.
HB1 2024-1780: Unknown Information Only01:02:39.119 - 3:01:00 PM; The speaker moved to hold the money portion of the amendment but pass the policy portion, which involves $3 million for housing stabilization for fiscal year ending 2027 to DHHS for contracting with nonprofits. The policy piece was voted on and passed.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Rugman Information Only01:04:05.359 - 3:02:26 PM; Senator Rugman discussed the health committee's decision to strip down the original workforce bill and their collaboration with Senator Roford to prioritize and further reduce the bill's scope. They highlighted the top priority of the bill, which is to fund a residency program in the North Country starting in the second year of the budget with $500,000.
HB1 2024-1780: Unknown Information Only01:04:55.280 - 3:03:16 PM; The speaker confirmed the amendment to allocate $0 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 for the North Country residency program, indicating it would be put on hold.
HB1 2024-1780: Unknown Information Only01:06:16.240 - 3:04:37 PM; The speaker moved to approve several items, all involving federal funds and adjustments to meet the department's requests. All motions passed without opposition.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Lang Information Only01:06:16.240 - 3:04:37 PM; Senator Lang proposed an amendment to restore the funding of the grounded advantage program through the liquor fund as per current law, undoing a previous House decision to use opioid abatement money. The amendment also allows for the use of premiums collected from enrollees to fund the program.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Rosen Information Only01:07:24.559 - 3:05:45 PM; Senator Rosen discussed the implications of a proposed 5% income tax on health insurance, highlighting its impact on families earning around $22,000 annually, and posed questions about the calculation of potential premiums.
HB1 2024-1780: Henry Litman, State's Medicaid Director Information Only01:08:11.000 - 3:06:32 PM; Henry Litman explained the methodology used to calculate potential premium amounts for families over 255% of the federal poverty limit. He detailed the expected collection percentage and the cost considerations for sending out invoices and collecting premiums, emphasizing a cost-effective approach outside of major systems.
HB1 2024-1780: Henry Litman, State's Medicaid Director Information Only01:11:49.719 - 3:10:10 PM; Henry Litman continued to address questions about disenrollment policies post-appeal process, indicating adherence to federal law and the need for further guidance from CMS. He also mentioned the governor's desire for compassionate policies and the lack of firm figures on disenrollment numbers.
HB1 2024-1780: Henry Litman, State's Medicaid Director Information Only01:13:03.679 - 3:11:24 PM; Henry Litman responded to a query about savings estimates and their impact on net revenues, expressing confidence that the expected growth in net revenues would mitigate any negative impacts.
HB1 2024-1780: Commissioner Information Only01:14:09.199 - 3:12:30 PM; The Commissioner addressed concerns about using general funds for the construction of the SYSC replacement facility. He explained that the project was initially funded with 100% ARPA funds and there is a deadline at the end of 2026. He highlighted the complexity of the project, mentioning typical construction issues like water hookups and electricity discussions with Eversource. The Commissioner suggested that lifting restrictions on using general funds would provide necessary flexibility for the project, though he noted this is a policy choice and did not know the background behind the initial restriction.
HB1 2024-1780: Representative Information Only01:17:15.360 - 3:15:36 PM; The Representative expressed concern about using general funds for the SYSC facility, citing past difficulties in securing the number of beds for the facility, which delayed the project. They were worried that changing plans to allow flexibility with general funds could be problematic and emphasized the need for better communication between the department and the oversight commission to ensure transparency and informed decision-making.
HB1 2024-1780: Commissioner Information Only01:18:27.600 - 3:16:48 PM; The Commissioner reassured that any significant changes to the SYSC construction project would require public discussion and contract amendments, ensuring transparency and no loopholes. They also mentioned that the committee approved the project but required fiscal oversight for changes, suggesting further discussion with Senator Inis for potential amendments.
HB1 2024-1780: Representative Information Only01:19:53.360 - 3:18:14 PM; The Representative expressed concern about acting on the bill immediately due to recent House budget decisions and potential new federal work requirements. They suggested waiting to see if federal law would override the state's actions, indicating no current conflict but uncertainty about future changes.
HB1 2024-1780: Representative Information Only01:21:02.560 - 3:19:23 PM; Another Representative mentioned a potential conflict between the bill and federal law regarding the number of hours for assessment and reporting. They noted that the department indicated a state plan amendment might be possible, which would be simpler than a waiver, and suggested revisiting the amendment if more information becomes available before the end of the budget process.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Vote01:22:25.920 - 3:20:46 PM; The Senator proposed amendments to various items, including changing the number of days from 120 to 90 in one amendment, and discussed the removal and approval of several items. They also mentioned a bill affecting medical school programs and adjustments to budget allocations, including moving funds from one fiscal year to another.
HB1 2024-1780: Senator Vote01:23:15.920 - 3:21:36 PM; The Senator continued discussing and voting on various items, including budget adjustments and approvals. They mentioned specific motions to approve or remove items, with some being held for further financial review. They also discussed funding for Cedar Crest and other budgetary items.
HB1 2024-1780: Unidentified Information Only01:28:20.880 - 3:26:41 PM; The speaker moved to approve an item and a vote was taken, resulting in approval. They noted that item number eight was a duplicate and removed it from consideration. Items 1, 2, 3A, and 3B were held for further discussion on funding. Item number four was approved after a motion and a vote.
HB1 2024-1780: Unidentified Information Only01:29:13.840 - 3:27:34 PM; The speaker requested to revisit items 3A and 3B, explaining that these items could be funded through joint underwriting association funds rather than general funds, suggesting they should not be held. A decision was made to keep them on hold for further clarification on funding. The session moved on to approve items 5 through 7. The session was scheduled to recess until a time certain at 11:00 the next day, with a Republican caucus at 10:00. The speaker also mentioned the possibility of scheduling a caucus for others as needed.
HB1 2024-1780: Unidentified Information Only01:30:35.199 - 3:28:56 PM; The speaker moved to end the executive session, and a vote was taken to conclude the session. The business of the day was completed, and the session ended.

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Innis, Daniel(V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Carson, Sharon(R)[C]2024
Watters, David(D)[CT]2024	Birdsell, Regina(R)[C+]2024	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024